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Taser victim sues police despite IPCC saying use was justified Taser victim sues police despite IPCC saying use was justified
(35 minutes later)
A 23-year-old who suffered a heart attack when he was Tasered by police has disputed a report that found the use of the stun gun was justified.A 23-year-old who suffered a heart attack when he was Tasered by police has disputed a report that found the use of the stun gun was justified.
James McCarthy is suing Merseyside police after he was hit twice with a Taser at a hotel in Liverpool, in September last year. James McCarthy is suing Merseyside police after he was hit twice with a Taser at a hotel in Liverpool in September last year.
His solicitor, Sophie Khan, said: "James McCarthy does not accept the findings of the IPCC investigation. He disputes that the Taser use was justified. My client suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the Taser and sustained a serious injury following the incident.His solicitor, Sophie Khan, said: "James McCarthy does not accept the findings of the IPCC investigation. He disputes that the Taser use was justified. My client suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the Taser and sustained a serious injury following the incident.
"Mr McCarthy is now pursuing a civil claim against Merseyside police for damages. Mr McCarthy has asked for his privacy to be respected whilst he recovers for his injury." "Mr McCarthy is now pursuing a civil claim against Merseyside police for damages. Mr McCarthy has asked for his privacy to be respected whilst he recovers from his injury."
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said that use of the stun gun was justified, but that one of the officers involved should have more training. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said use of the stun gun was justified, but added that one of the officers involved should have more training.
The team was called to a Premier Inn in Albert Dock at around 2.50am on 30 September last year where a group of men were fighting. McCarthy was hit twice, including by one discharge that lasted 11 seconds, and suffered a cardiac arrest. The team was called to a Premier Inn in Albert Dock at around 2.50am on 30 September last year, where a group of men were fighting. McCarthy was hit twice, including by one discharge that lasted 11 seconds, and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Because of the potential threat of violence, the IPCC found that using the stun guns was "proportionate and appropriate", but that one officer was not aware of how long he was passing electric current through the Taser and there was a delay in checking whether McCarthy was OK. Because of the potential threat of violence, the IPCC found that using the stun gun was "proportionate and appropriate", but that one officer was not aware of how long he was passing electric current through the Taser and there was a delay in checking whether McCarthy was OK.
The IPCC said that medical staff told them that the cardiac arrest could have been caused by the Taser, but that the presence of cocaine and cannabis in his system and raised adrenaline levels could have contributed. According to the IPCC, medical staff said the cardiac arrest could have been caused by the Taser, but that the presence of cocaine and cannabis in his system and raised adrenaline levels could have contributed.
IPCC commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone said: "It is a difficult judgment to make in the heat of an incident, but it is important for public confidence that police officers are able to account for their decision to use force, including Taser, and that any force used against the public is at the minimum level required.IPCC commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone said: "It is a difficult judgment to make in the heat of an incident, but it is important for public confidence that police officers are able to account for their decision to use force, including Taser, and that any force used against the public is at the minimum level required.
"In this case, officers responded to a violent situation involving a number of people. Our investigation found they had valid concerns for both their safety and that of the public and, as such, use of force including Taser was reasonable."In this case, officers responded to a violent situation involving a number of people. Our investigation found they had valid concerns for both their safety and that of the public and, as such, use of force including Taser was reasonable.
"However, our investigation did identify areas for improvement in how long the Taser was used for and how long it took for welfare checks to be made by officers when the subject of the Taser use was restrained and suffering a medical emergency."However, our investigation did identify areas for improvement in how long the Taser was used for and how long it took for welfare checks to be made by officers when the subject of the Taser use was restrained and suffering a medical emergency.
"We have shared these with the police so that they can be considered in future training of officers.""We have shared these with the police so that they can be considered in future training of officers."
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